OBITUARIES

John Joseph Jacobs, a retired insurance company executive, died November 9 at his home in Portola Valley after a long battle with cancer. He had lived in Portola Valley for more than 30 years.

Services will be private.

Mr. Jacobs, 74, was the husband of Carol Campbell Jacobs. They were married 49 years ago, after he graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1950.

He began his insurance career in San Francisco with Pacific Mutual Insurance Co. Later he joined Fred S. James Insurance Co., where he became office manager and executive vice president; he worked there until his retirement.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Mr. Jacobs served in the Pacific with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He was an avid golfer at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club and enjoyed hiking in the Bay Area and in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

Mr. Jacobs is survived by his wife Carol; their sons, who grew up in Portola Valley, Donald R. Jacobs of Santa Cruz, Richard D. Jacobs of Portland, Oregon, and Chris C. Jacobs of Monterey; eight grandchildren; and his brother, Robert Jacobs of Los Gatos. A son, John C. Jacobs, died two years ago.

Memorial donations may be made to MidPeninsula Hospice, 201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 135, Mountain View, CA 94040; or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Gerald A. Fields

Retired executive, Menlo resident

Gerald A. Fields, a Menlo Park resident since 1957, died at his home November 11 at the age of 89.

Born in Marysville, Washington, Mr. Fields attended the University of Washington, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and earned his bachelor's and law degrees.

After being admitted to the Washington State Bar Association, he worked for San Francisco-based Sperry Flour Company, a predecessor of General Mills. During his 36 years with General Mills, Mr. Fields held various executive positions at several locations, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, and Minneapolis.

Mr. Fields' interests included domestic and foreign travel, growing flowers and cultivating bonsai. Of particular note was his annual chrysanthemum garden, which family members said was a truly beautiful sight.

His survivors include his wife, Kathryn "Sue"; his two sons, Gerald Fields Jr. of Saratoga and James S. Fields of Menlo Park; and two grandsons.

Joe Starr

Peninsula School teacher

An informal gathering to remember Joe Starr, a much-loved teacher at Peninsula School in Menlo Park, will be held on Friday, November 26, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the school. His friends are encouraged to bring photos and a musical instrument. A tree will be planted in his memory at school.

Mr. Starr, known as Joe to Peninsula students and their families, died October 29 after a long illness. He came to Peninsula School in 1969 as the caretaker, then became an assistant in the younger grades before moving into the Upper School in 1973.

From 1975 to 1987, he taught eighth-grade.

After leaving Peninsula, he received a marriage, family and child counseling certification. He maintained a private practice, and also worked for Santa Clara County in counseling at-risk kids.

He is survived by his daughter Melody, Peninsula Class of 1981, and two grandchildren.

Marjorie Anne Goldman

Menlo resident

Marjorie Anne Goldman, a longtime resident of Menlo Park, died November 17 in Clayton, Missouri. She was 69.

Mrs. Goldman was a native of Seattle. She was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm Goldman.

She is survived by her children, Anita Matlock of Los Angeles and Barry Goldman of Clayton, Missouri; her brothers, Ted Rosenblume and Joe Rosenblume of Seattle; her sister, Judy Silver of Boston; and seven grandchildren.

Services were held at Alta Mesa Memorial Park Chapel in Palo Alto. The family prefers that memorial donations be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 97100, Dallas, TX 75397.



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